TOWN OF DUNBARTON

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MINUTES OF MEETING

MAY 22, 2003

 

Present:          Chuck Graybill, Chair

                        J.R. Swindlehurst III

                        Steve Kennedy

                        Janice VandeBogart, Town Administrator

 

 

 

7:00 p.m. Al Vaal and Simona Robinson, water on their property:

Al and Simona came in to express their wish to stop the water from going down their driveway.  Steve mentioned that he and Jan VandeBogart looked at the problem and Jan suggested digging up the front of their driveway and filling with riprap.  Steve thinks we could divert the water into the cemetery.  He also said that it could all be on Town land. Jan is going to look at the prints to check.  If this is the case, we may hard top it.  Simona brought in the line adjustment plan, noting that the Town has an easement to the cemetery.  A discussion about the quickest way to solve the problem, which was deemed to be adding stone.  Steve will ask Jan to get it done tomorrow.

 

7:15 p.m. Other Business:

J.R. motioned to accept John Colter’s resignation, which was seconded by Steve.  The motion carried.  Chuck thanked John for his work.

 

7:20 p.m.  Steve Cohen, re:  Barry Lussier’s property

Steve asked John Turner if he knew whether the conditions of the subdivision agreement had been met.  John indicated that  not to his knowledge.  Steve is concerned that a trench across the whole property line has not been dug to prevent erosion.  He reminded the Board that water goes across the road and freezes below his pond.  Now that the driveway is in, there is mud all over the road.  He further stated that the erosion control provisions were designed to prevent what is happening, which could fill up his pond with silt. 

 

J.R. discussed a meeting he and Ken Swayze had with the current lot owner, Dana Moquin.  Dana was apparently unaware of any of this.  Barry is going to pay to get it done.  Dana is doing his work and is caught in the middle.  J.R. confirmed that the trench needs to be the whole length of the property.

 

Ken Swayze came in at 7:30 and indicated that he agrees that the trench needs to be the whole length of the property.  Steve Cohen asked: “In the meantime, what protection will be done until it is done right?”.  Ken responded that he has a guy ready to come in, probably next week.  Steve asked, “What about preventing him from doing anymore work on the driveway before the whole trench is dug?”.

 

7:35 p.m.  Other Business:

Janice mentioned that the only applicant for the Secretary to the Building Inspector was Barbara, the Police Dept. secretary. She feels the transition would be smooth. 

 

Chuck made a motion stipulating that Barbara’s schedule would be established at the Building Dept. first for 16 hours and then it is up to Jeff Nelson to schedule Barbara at the Police Dept., up to 40 hours, or he pays overtime.  The hourly rate of pay is $10.45.  Steve seconded the motion.  The motion carried.

 

7:45 p.m.  John Swindlehurst, re:  Town Forest Committee, Stark Lane

A discussion regarding the conditions imposed by the Planning Board regarding a proposed subdivision on Stark Lane took place.  Ken Swayze read the conditions from the minutes of a Planning Board meeting.  Chuck noted that a Town Forester needs to be present and DOT needs to be aware of what is transpiring and agree.  John indicated that $15,000 will be needed to straighten out, or correct the corner, providing a 400 foot line of sight.  He also stated that all voters were in favor or it.  Chuck indicated that the Planning Board addressed all legal issue and we can move forward.  Steve noted that the major concern was safety.  John confirmed that Steve and John had not discussed this issue prior to tonight.

 

John was concerned that there was no flag on his stepfather’s grave.  He served through WW 2 and feels that he is entitled to a flag.  He would also like a flag on his brother’s grave.  Steve will take care of placing the flags on Francis and Ransom Merrill’s graves.

 

8:05 p.m.  Barry Lussier, re:  subdivision conditions

Barry brought in a letter (see attached) in response to the Selectmen’s letter, stating the the Planning Board’s conditions have been complied with.  However, there is no record at the Town Offices of the driveway plans.  Barry says there is no way to present an erosion control plan.  Chuck noted that it was directed to Barry and he needed to get it accomplished.  Barry strongly feels that this issue does not need to be addressed because lots 1, 3 and 4 already had existing driveways.  Chuck indicated that this applies to the entire frontage of the subdivision.  Barry stated that there is no need for an erosion control plan because the driveway has been there for 30 years and that it should have been addressed as part of the logging.  Barry said he talked to the then road agent, Simon, who said he did not want a ditch.  Barry indicated that Steve Cohen wanted a ditch, so he dug one right away, but be reiterated his feeling that “there is no need to dig a ditch all the way across the property.”  Ken asked him why he agreed to do it then, and Barry responded with “Simon said he didn’t want it.”  J.R. reminded Barry that the Planning Board required the ditch.    Steve Cohen said he had asked Barry to move a “big pile of dirt” and that it was his understanding that a ditch would be dug across the whole property and that he is very concerned that it is not being dug across.  He stated that a 10 foot ditch isn’t going to be sufficient.  Ken reiterated the requirement/need for the whole ditch.  Steve Kennedy asked Steve Cohen how much water was coming across the road. Steve Cohen said there wasn’t much, until now.  Barry said a ditch was never needed and that the water needs to go in the culvert right there.  He claims he has done everything he was asked to do.    Steve Kennedy stated that now a ditch needs to be dug.  Chuck asked Barry to submit an erosion control plan.  Steve Cohen asked why mud is going across the road. J.R. stated that there is no proof that the work was done. Steve Kennedy indicated that Steve Cohen’s land is being affected and it has to stop. He stated that “The work is going to be done.”   Jan VandeBogart said that the Town engineer needs to be involved, as well as himself and the Conservation Commission. He said if the water goes into the field it will not be a problem.  Steve Cohen noted that the logging road has been there for a long time, and is wider now.

 

J.R. noted that there is no proof that #1 and #5 were ever received.  Janice will research and ask Alison to research also.

 

Steve Cohen asked who is responsible for the conditions being met?  He also stated that he relied upon the conditions set forth by the Planning Board.  Chuck said that Don Mayo will get involved and we will take his recommendations. Jan will call Don.  Steve Cohen will be called before Don does any site work.

 

8:43 p.m.  Chuck motioned to accept the resignation of Judy Peterson from the Dunbarton Center Building Committee, effective today.  He appreciates her hard work over the last two years.  Steve seconded the motion.  The motion carried.

 

8:50 p.m. Jan VandeBogart;  starting salary for the full time Highway Dept. Laborer’s position  was confirmed to be $15/hour.

 

8:55 p.m. Woody Bowne, job applicants.

Woody received two applications for the part time employee. He would like to hire the candidate who is a level four operator.  He is semi-retired, but did not call any references.  He indicated that the other applicant had a more technical background.  Steve asked Woody to get a copy of the candidate’s certification and to check references. 

 

J.R. motioned to hire Perry Spooner, pending an entrance physical and obtaining a copy of the certification and checking of references.  Steve seconded the motion.  The motion carried.

 

Woody mentioned that Tom Gleason’s hours were two hours less than Ron’s so he has made them equal now. 

 

Woody also asked about paying the cost of repairing the overhead door from an accident this winter.  He will pay it and then seek reimbursement from the insurance company.  He also asked about the door that Tom Gleason damaged.  The repair cost is $65.  Woody will give the bill to Janice to give to Gleason.

 

Woody discussed the 1968 forklift, stating that he is the only one who can operate it and would like to look for a newer one that is used and user friendly.  Chuck said to please look.

 

 

9:10 p.m., Steve motioned to adjourn the meeting.  J.R.  seconded the motion.  The motion carried.

 

________________________________________________________________

Chuck Graybill, Chairman

 

________________________________________________________________

J.R. Swindlehurst,  III, Selectman

 

________________________________________________________________

Steve Kennedy, Selectman

 

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Joanne Johnson